2 accused of blackmailing Italian priests

Two men have been arrested in Italy for allegedly blackmailing priests, keeping their homosexual affairs secret in exchange for thousands of euros, police said. The two men extorted the money from at least 12 priests in the Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Molise and Puglia regions and in Sicily, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. One of the priests reported suspects who had allegedly threatened the blackmail by phone from the southern Italy town of Maratea three months ago, prompting an investigation, police said. Officials visited the homes of targeted priests Tuesday to gather more information. None of the priests has been charged.